Tunisian Checkerboard Square

Tunisian Checkerboard Square by Creations By Courtney

Project Overview

The Tunisian Checkerboard Square is a 12-inch crochet square designed by Creations By Courtney, perfect for creating blankets, throws, and other larger projects. This downloadable PDF pattern uses the entrelac Tunisian technique to produce a visually striking checkerboard design. The finished square measures 12 inches (30.5 cm) on each side after blocking, making it an ideal modular component for assembling multi-square blankets and coordinated home décor pieces.

Craft and Technique

This pattern employs Tunisian crochet, a hybrid technique that combines elements of traditional crochet and knitting. Tunisian crochet creates a denser, more fabric-like texture compared to standard crochet. The pattern specifically uses the entrelac Tunisian method, which creates interlocking blocks that produce the characteristic checkerboard visual effect. This technique involves building squares that interlock with one another, resulting in a sophisticated geometric pattern.

The Tunisian Simple Stitch forms the foundation of this design. This stitch requires working in two passes: the forward pass (where loops are picked up and retained on the hook) and the return pass (where loops are worked off the hook). The pattern instructs crocheters to count carefully to ensure 7 loops remain on the hook before beginning each return pass, maintaining consistency throughout the project.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

• ch – chain stitch, the foundation stitch for starting rows and creating spaces
• sc – single crochet, a basic short stitch
• dc – double crochet, a taller stitch used throughout the pattern (ch 3 counts as dc)
• slst – slip stitch, used for joining and transitioning between sections
• YO – yarn over, the fundamental action of wrapping yarn around the hook
• BL – back loop, indicating stitches worked through only the back loop for textural variation
• Ret – return pass, the second phase of Tunisian stitching where loops are worked off the hook
• Rem – remaining, referring to stitches left to work
• st(s) – stitch or stitches

Materials Required

Hook: H/5mm Furls Crochet Streamline Hook. The 5mm size is appropriate for worsted weight yarn and produces the correct gauge for this pattern.

Yarn: Red Heart Soft in charcoal (or any worsted weight yarn of equivalent weight). Worsted weight yarn, also called aran weight, is a medium-weight yarn that works well for creating substantial, durable squares suitable for blankets and throws. The pattern accommodates yarn substitution as long as the weight matches.

Additional Supplies: Scissors for cutting yarn and a needle (tapestry needle recommended) for weaving in ends and potentially seaming multiple squares together.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 7 loops by 5 rows in Tunisian Simple Stitch, which equals a 1 3/8-inch by 1 3/8-inch square. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the finished square to measure the intended 12 inches (30.5 cm) on each side after blocking. Blocking—the process of wetting and shaping the finished piece—helps even out the stitches and ensures consistent sizing, particularly important when creating multiple squares for a larger project.

Pattern Notes and Difficulty

Although the product attributes list this as a beginner pattern, the PDF indicates an intermediate difficulty level. Tunisian crochet requires understanding the two-pass system and maintaining consistent loop counts, which demands more experience than basic single-crochet projects. The pattern is written in US crochet terms and includes a diagram showing the directional flow of the entrelac technique, which is essential for following the interlocking block construction correctly.

The pattern permits crafters to sell finished products made from this design on platforms such as Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, provided that Courtney Whitehead is credited as the pattern's author. Commercial reproduction and pattern duplication are not permitted.